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July 31, 2024

Farmfest 2024 attendees should plan to visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) exhibit for information on a wide variety of agriculture-related programs and resources. Farmfest is Tuesday, August 6, through Thursday, August 8, 2024, at the Historic Gilfillan Estate near Redwood Falls, Minnesota.

Featured programs include:

  • Rural Finance Authority Loan Programs – Get information on low- to zero-interest loans to help recover from natural disasters, improve farm facilities, restructure debt, expand livestock production, and help first-time farmers purchase land.
  • Grant Programs – Learn more about MDA grant programs available to help increase productivity, improve efficiency, develop new agricultural products, and more.
  • Ag Weather Station Network – See how you can get real-time weather information, crop evaporation data, various disease risks, irrigation scheduling, and air temperature inversion alerts to your cell phone via the 38 Minnesota weather stations incorporated into the North Dakota Ag Weather Network (NDAWN), and view the network’s recent expansion thanks to additional funding from the Minnesota Legislature.
  • Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program – Discover how you can become certified in this popular water quality program and obtain regulatory certainty for a period of ten years, all to help protect our water.
  • Rural Mental Health Resources – Find out about the people and organizations ready to help farmers and their families deal with stress, depression, and suicide.

The MDA Farmfest Booth is #517S.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-387-6599
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us  

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Common name: Norway maple
Scientific name: Acer platanoides L.

Hastings DWSMA Interactive Map
Nitrogen Management Financial Assistance

Due to elevated levels of nitrate-nitrogen, the Hastings DWSMA was listed at a Mitigation Level 2 under the Groundwater Protection Rule. To learn more about the determination process visit Mitigation Level Determination.

  • Designated a mitigation level 2 on January 15, 2020 using the following criteria:
    • One or more public wells have exceeded 8 mg/L nitrate within the past 10 years
    • No point source of nitrate found to be the cause of the elevated nitrate level
      (i.e., ag chemical incidents, animal feedlots, improperly sealed wells, etc.)
  • The DWSMA is approximately 61,791 acres and is a high vulnerability area
  • There are approximately 300 - 400 cropland owners and 100-150 operators within the DWSMA
  • Located in Dakota County
  • The MDA is currently developing a groundwater monitoring network within this DWSMA
  • Of the 6 primary public wells, 1 has tested above 8 mg/L and 3 have tested above 10 mg/L within the past 10 years
Hastings DWSMA Details

Due to elevated levels of nitrate-nitrogen, the Hastings DWSMA was listed at a Mitigation Level 2 under the Groundwater Protection Rule. To learn more about the determination process visit Mitigation Level Determination.

  • Designated a mitigation level 2 on January 15, 2020 using the following criteria:
    • One or more public wells have exceeded 8 mg/L nitrate within the past 10 years
    • No point source of nitrate found to be the cause of the elevated nitrate level
      (i.e., ag chemical incidents, animal feedlots, improperly sealed wells, etc.)
  • The DWSMA is approximately 61,791 acres and is a high vulnerability area
  • There are approximately 300 - 400 cropland owners and 100-150 operators within the DWSMA
  • Located in Dakota County
  • The MDA is currently developing a groundwater monitoring network within this DWSMA
  • Of the 6 primary public wells, 1 has tested above 8 mg/L and 3 have tested above 10 mg/L within the past 10 years
No

The MDA established a Local Advisory Team (LAT), consisting of local farmers, agronomists and local government staff. Below is a list of milestones that were met during this process:

  • The LAT has formed and is actively meeting
  • Interviewed local ag retailers and farmers to gather information on the current nitrogen fertilizer management practices within the DWSMA
  • Completed computer modeling of nitrate loss below the crop rooting zone within this DWSMA
  • In consultation with the LAT, a list of BMPs and AMTs that are practicable and appropriate for protecting groundwater within this DSWMA has been developed and approved.

The LAT will continue to meet to review new public well nitrate data and discuss ongoing implementation of BMPs and AMTs within the DWSMA. The team will also discuss opportunities for technical and financial assistance that can help support implementation of practices.